
Rayo [or Colonial](Similar To Aladdin Parlor Lamp)
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Rayo (Similar To Aladdin Parlor Lamp)
by James Metcalf (anesthes@airnet.net)
Posted: Dec. 15, 1998 @ 11:11.
I have found a Rayo lamp similar to the Aladdin Parlor lamp in brass.
Can anyone give me information on this lamp or its value. Thanks
James
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On Dec. 15, 1998 @ 12:45, Fil Graff, Guild Secretary (fgraff@comcast.net) wrote:
James: We'll probably need an image to be sure! As far as I can tell
from the only Rayo catalogue extant, they never sold a lamp font
shaped like "the Aladdin [or P&A "Colonial"] Parlor Lamp". The normal
Rayo font is wider, with a flatter top surface, and somewhat squater
than the Aladdin/P&A rounded one; perhaps this is what you have?
Here's an image of the normal RAYO table lamp.

I'd
suggest you purchase a copy of The Guild's publication, THE RAYO
BOOK! The whole 1927 catalogue appears there. See the Classified page
for details. :: Fil Graff
::
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On Dec. 15, 1998 @ 20:08, James Metcalf (anesthes@airnet.net) wrote:
Thanks for the response Fil. The base of this lamp looks identical to
the Practicus parlor lamp on page 7 of the #15 price guide except the
burner is larger and has rayo on the flame spreader. It has 3 feet
underneath the base similar to the way the picture of the Practicus
looks. Thanks
James.
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On Dec. 16, 1998 @ 19:12, Fil Graff, Guild Secretary (fgraff@comcast.net) wrote:
James: Identical? Ok, then it is the P and A font. Quite frankly, I'm
guessing what you have is an assemblage. Why? If this was a P and A
lamp, and a large CD tube, then it would have the "Colonial" burner
in it. Without running up to the shop and measuring, I suspect that
the Colonial and the Rayo, like several other Argand-type CD lamps of
the period, have the same diameter center draft tubes. If the
Colonial burners original flame spreader was missing, a Rayo could
have been inserted.
Questions: A)does the burner on your lamp
look "identical" to the one in the image above? b)Or "identical"
except for a burner basket perforated like the Aladdin? c)Does the
burner screw out on threads that match those on the collar?
If a)
or b) is affirmative, then someone has jammed a Rayo burner, which
attached to the proper font with "L" shaped channel [push down-twist
to side], not threading, into your font. If c) is affirmative, then
you likely have a Colonial burner (no markings on it at all!) with a
Rayo flame spreader. There are many more of these parlor lamps out
there with the original Colonial burner than there are the P and A
modified font (with a smaller diameter CD tube, and different
collars) that could take the Praktikus burner, or later the 1911 or
1914 Kronos, or the Aladdin models 1 thru 4. I have even seen this
font with what appeared to be a factory plug in the font bottom, and
NO CD tube, for a side-draft 1914 Kronos.
What ever the burner,
it is a very stylish font that looks nice in any collection. The
Colonial was no better a burner than the Rayo, just fair to middlin'
in the big center draft group, but it is one of the more attractive
"plain" lamps in the group. :: Fil ::
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On Dec. 17, 1998 @ 09:16, James Metcalf (anesthes@airnet.net) wrote:
Fil: I saw this lamp in a shop and thought it was the Practicus
Parlor lamp. The font & base of the lamp looks identical to the one
on the cover of the Aladdin price guide #17 except for the burner. I
did not see any markings on the burner but the flame spreader was
marked Rayo. The burner did not look like an Aladdin but I do not
remember if it looked identical to the Rayo in your picture. I hope
to get back by the shop & if it is still there will examine the
burner more closely. The lamp was in very good condition and looked
as if it had been polished. The lamp was priced for $190. Thanks for
your help. James
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On Dec. 17, 1998 @ 21:34, Fil Graff (fgraff@comcast.net) wrote:
James: I can't remember if the wick knob on the Colonial says
anything but the expected P & A. Do look for your curiosity, but at
that price, not for lust for the lamp! Attractive, yes, overpriced
for what it is and how it burns, definately (in my himble opinion.)
If it had a nice shade, and showed some promise for restoration, OK,
but not just as an Aladdin look-alike. Come to think of it, the
Aladdin Parlor Lamp is a Colonial look-alike! :: Fil ::